Schools
are communities composed of both adults and children. Unchallenged
bullying of or by adults in schools has the power to damage
all progress that has been made in the last 15 years towards
creating a non-violent ethos in classrooms and playgrounds.

We
heard the voices of some adults from the wider school community
- the conference gasped in dismay when it heard that, at one
school, student teachers were not allowed in the staffroom.
Colin Campbell talked of the bullying of heads (1).
Zee Sulleyman (see photo) acted out his experiences as a schoolchild
experiencing racism including racist bullying, and as an adult
teaching drama to young people (2).

Kathleen
Marshall (3), the Commissioner
for Children and Young People quoted the UN Committee on the
Rights of the Child (4), which stated
in its concluding remarks:

'The
Committee recommends that an alternative vision of the school
and the family that respects the rights and dignity of all,
including children, parents and teachers, should guide all
actions on the issue of violence against children. The main
strategy should be to galvanize actions around this vision
rather than using punitive measures. In this vision relations
between and among children and parents or teachers (as well
as other family members or students) are mutually respectful
and the safety and security of all is promoted (Rec. 702)'.

The Commissioner
went on to say:

'Things
to be noted here are that bullying and verbal and emotional
abuse are clearly indicated as breaching children's rights,
but the whole community is involved and implicated. Tolerance
of this unacceptable behaviour by anyone towards anyone
will undermine any more targeted projects.'

Discussion
groups and drama workshops (5) encouraged
experiential as well as intellectual learning, and some excellent
displays reinforced the message.

'Lhamea
Lall was wonderful - a most moving and emotive performance'.
Conference participant.
Lhamea (see photo) sang her own song about bullying (6).

'Remembering
to set an example of mutual respect is so obvious but can
never be voiced enough'.
Conference participant.